The Nordic Africa Institute

Commentary

NAI researcher explores invisible Dakar-Istanbul trade bridge

Travellers wait for their luggage at Blaise Diagne International airport, Dakar, Senegal. Photo: Vincent Tremeau/World Bank

Travellers wait for their luggage at Blaise Diagne International airport, Dakar, Senegal. Photo: Vincent Tremeau/World Bank

Date • 4 Sep 2025

By using preferential airfares and social media platforms such as Tiktok, Senegalese traders import large volumes of cosmetics, clothing and technological goods from Turkey. While the cheap Turkish products sell easily on the Senegalese market, they make life difficult for the country’s artisans.